DAB+ Gains Widespread Acceptance in Norway

Oslo - Feb 4, 2014 - Norwegians appear to be embracing DAB+ radio. 511,000 DAB+ radios were sold during 2013, representing a 140 percent increase, year over year. 81,000 sold in 2010; 1340,000 in 2011; and 220,000 during 2012. Much of the 2013 increase was attributable to the introduction of the new station, NRK's P1+, which is only available via DAB+, and many radio users sought out DAB+ radios over the Christmas season, according to Kampanje.com.

"Sales are overwhelmingly good, and it's very gratifying to see that it has grown so much. This is more than we had dared to hope for. This year (2013) more DAB+ radios were sold than analog radios, and that's a development we are very excited to see. This means that many (listeners) want the content of the digital radio broadcasts, and that people have noticed that it actually there is more content (on DAB+) compared to analog broadcasting," said Communication Manager Mari Hagerup of Digital Radio Norway.

In Norway, the analog FM network is scheduled to sunset in 2017, provided certain conditions are met. For example, at least 50% of radio listening has to be to digital radio by Jan. 1, 2015. If the criteria are not met, the sun-setting will defer till 2019. According to Digital radio Norway's latest measurement, 40 percent of radio listeners use DAB+ daily; this proportion must therefore rise by ten percent during the year, for the currently scheduled shutdown to really take place.